February Favourites

February might be the month of love but for me it was also the month of frigid cold temperatures, dry skin, chapped lips and static-y hair. I can literally whine about the weather all day but I will spare you the discomfort and leave you with this revelation … I am always amazed to see how seasons reflects the beauty product’s I like. So with that dry arctic air here and moisturizing on the mind here are my February favourites.

Clarins Lip Comfort Oil

Even with my team of nourishing lip products it was a struggle to keep my lips hydrated.  However after reading one good review after another I was compelled to purchase.  Clarins Lip Comfort Oil hydrates, soothes, plums and lasts for hours on your lips. With some days this reaching the -40 mark and my lips looking unscathed I would say this has endured the ultimate test.  For a more in depth review I would highly suggest you check out my full review here.

Patyka Biokaliftin Repair Face Cream

Patyka is a luxury brand that focuses on being natural and organic. This duel daytime, nighttime moisturizer intended for those with sensitive, dehydrated or more mature skin types. Boasting hyaluronic acid and oat polysaccharides Biokaliftin helps plump, hydrate and reduce redness. 

The very first time I used this I had that I "yesss" moment and I still continue to get that feeling same level of excitement within each application. A moisturizer of this caliber definitely needs a review of its own, so be on the look out for that. 

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum 

I finally repurchased this and now I remember why I consider this to be my all time favourite foundation. It's hydrating, dewy, offers just the right coverage but looks completely undetectable on the skin. If you have dry skin and notice every foundation clinging to dry areas try the Bourjois it does not disappoint. 

I did a whole summery of why I love this so much here. 

Avene Xera Calm AD 

This will be an over share but its been so cold and dry that my skin has literally arms broken into dry patches and my chest has broken into hives. TMI I know, but I'm sure there are many of you out there with similar stories. My answer to intolerant skin is Avene's Xera Calm Ad. This soothing, ultra moisturizing body cream helps not only calm itching but it helps nourish dry areas too. While giving a much needed boost of moisture this it doesn't leave the skin greasy in the slightest. 

Random tip- If you are suffering from really dry, itchy, intolrant skin my advice is to avoid anything with perfumes, or harsh chemicals and stick with basic gentle, nourishing products. 

I tried some fun products this month and even introduced some spring-y selections into my makeup routine. However what really shined for me wasn't that spring pink lipstick nor that easter pastel polish. No ladies, this month for me was all about hydration, hydration and more hydration. What products have you been loving this month, leave me a comment. 

3 Things to Try THE FACE SHOP

The Face Shop is Korean brand that seems to be just about everywhere right now. Their eye catching products are not only adorable, but feature some unique innovations at affordable prices. Over the past year I’ve tried at least a dozen of The Face Shop products some bad, some good and some in that “you need to buy this now” category.  With my top three products all under $5.00 I am ecstatic to share with these today.

Cotton Pads

For years I was hooked to the very expensive Shiseido cotton.  I have to say a package Shiseido cotton lasts for a while and the cotton itself is undeniably soft, but at $11.00 a pop it seemed to be a rather spendy purchase.  So quests for cheaper cotton lead me to The Face Shop…

At only $3.00 a pack I have to say not only is this bargain, but the cotton itself is really soft and feels luxurious on the skin.  Unlike the Shiseido layered cotton The Face Shop features edges that are stuck together making the cotton less prone to fall apart.

Hyaluronic Face Mask

If you have dehydrated or dry skin this will be your best friend. For $2.00 a pop you get a generous dose of hydration that will leave your skin noticeably glowing, hydrated and plump. For only a couple of bucks I don’t think you can do anything better for your skin. If you don’t have dehydrated skin this is literally a wall of face masks suitable for every skin type at The Face Shop.

Design My Eye Brow

 When I started running out of this and realized my local Face Shop was sold out I went into full on panic mode. Yes, I am absolutly crazy about this pencil I just love how natural it looks. I also happen to love the convenient spooly brush and I love the slanted tip pencil, oh yeah I love the price too. Come to think about it I love the moustache logo on the packaging, even though I can't make sense of it.  Its one of the very few eye brow products you can apply in seconds and it still manages to look good. Now with 2 back ups on hand I don't dare go without. As for the price Design My Eye Brow is only $4.00 and out it performs any high-end eyebrow pencil I've tried to date. 

Yes people there you have it my top 3 products from The Face Shop. What are some of your favourite products from The Face Shop? leave me a comment. 

To see more of my top 3 products from other brands... please see the links below!

NARS 

Clarins

ELF

Avene 

Guerlain 

Brands That I Forgot

After reminiscing high school memories with an old friend the subject of makeup came up. Yes, I was that awkward teenager that was guilty of rocking rainbow colour shadows, colouring my hair just about every shade possible and wearing colourful studded belts. After having a few good laughs I came to the realization that I have been wearing makeup on the regular for almost 15 years! It’s no surprise that in those 15 years not only have my preferences changed but the brands I use. 

Benefit 

At one point I would have been able to tell you that Benefit was my all-time favorite brand. Like many what first attracted me to Benefit was there cute packaging and fun approach to beauty. Among my favorite products was the Eyecon eye cream, Dandelion Blush and High Beam high lighter. Also bonus points if you remember there amazing matte eye shadow singles. 

My time away from Benefit isn't just because one specific thing. There foundations and powders are to dark, while there sets are always to bulky and at times there products seem a little to gimmicky.  Although I don't purchase much from Benefit every time they release a new product I still get excited to read reviews.

MAC 

I use to be MAC obsessed. For years I followed each of there collections and even knew the MAC girls at my local counter. Crazy right? Honestly though these days MAC is a brand that I tend to stray from. The MAC I use to love had beautifully crafted products, believed in artistry and had note worthy collections. These days I find MAC pumps out so many limited edition products that quality and artistry seem to go out the door. I also find that the limited edition collections over shadow some of the cult worthy products in there core range. Even my the packaging has changed over the years. Maybe I'm not being welcoming to change but its a brand that feels and looks very different to the brand I fell in love with. 

I think its natural that as we age not only do our looks change but the actual brands we use.  

What brands have you forgotten over the years?  leave me a comment? 

Current Favourite Lip Products

Pictures of tulips, bright lip glosses and cute rainy day outfits  been flooding the blog world as of late. Which is great because I'm early anticipating for the warm weather, but also not so great because is freaken cold here in Canada.  With the hydration always in mind and weather set at -25°C here tomorrow here are my current favourite lip products. 

NUXE Reve De Miel Moisturizing Stick 

With its matte finish and unique gritty texture everyone knows of the potted version of Reve De Miel.  While I love the orignal I can honestly its unique texture and potted packaging its something I reserve mostly before bed. The Moisture Stick still has all of the hydrating qualities of the original but its smooth finish and tube packaging make it my favourite choice for on the go. 

Clarins Lip Comfort Oil 

This half makeup, half skincare lip treatment is amazing. Clarins Lip Comfort Oil is hydrating, lasts for hours and really repairs dry lips. Plus the jumbo sized applicator some how feels comforting too. I love this lip product and there is so much more to say about it, so for a more in depth review go here. 

Dior Lip Maximizer 

Minty lip products are such a love or a hate. Personally I love them and Dior Lip Maximizer is one of my all-time favourites. While I can't say this is a lip injection in a bottle I can say this makes lips look more plump due, which is credited by all of it's hydrating ingredients. Maybe it's just me but the cold air and a minty lip product is like a match made in makeup heaven. 

Fresh Sugar Berry Lip Balm 

I bought this lip balm back in September and it hasn't left my makeup bag since. Unlike many barely tinted lip balms, Fresh's Berry actually does a good job at packing on some colour. Also unlike a lipstick Fresh Berry has all the benefits of a lip balm... which kind of makes this the perfect winter lip product if you ask me and probably the reason why this hasn't left my makeup bag. 

Yes there is a whole lot of lip balm action happening but with the cold dry weather here my lips need the added nourishment. Come to think about it this post should have been called lip balm, lip balm and more lip balm! 

What are some of your favourite lip products right now? leave me a comment! 

Disappointing Products

Research, reading reviews and in store sampling are my fool proof steps to buying good makeup. Actually my technique rarely fails and the majority of the time I end up loving the products I purchase. So why are where here then? The thing about my no-fail plan is I have the tendency to be an impulsive shopper, which more times than not leads me to purchasing disappointing products. There is a moral to the story here but without further ado here are my disappointing products.

Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser

I bought this cleanser because it looked like a perfect concept. My entail thought was I love cold cream, I like cream cleansers, my skin happens to be extra dry at the moment and this had the added bonus of smelling like  roses. However, even with long list of amazing things I did not like this cleanser. Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser left my skin with a greasy residue, which caused my pores to get clogged and eventually lead a breakout. I’m not sure if it’s the grade of mineral oil this product uses but this was an oily mess even on my dry skin.

Lush Honey I Washed the Kids Soap

This is actually, something not impulsive because I use to be a Lush addict and my favorite product among them all was Honey I Washed the Kids soap. This little slice of soap set me back $6.00 and lasted under two weeks. Not only was it expensive, but I found it dried out my skin too. Don’t get me wrong Honey I Washed the Kids smells delicious, but the bottom line is in terms of price and hydration I would rather use Dove.  

Nip + Fab Sheer Makeup Fix

Nip + Fab is a drugstore skin care brand that do some pretty revolutionary things but this unfortunately was not one of them. With a name like “Sheer Makeup” you would expect it to blur out fine line and pores… well it didn’t. Sheer Makeup Fix didn’t do a lot of things like my skin hydrated nor did it work well as a primer. If you were looking for a clear perfecting base my recommendation is the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm.

Clarins Daily Energizing Cream

Let this be a lesson to us all! This cream, like many of the products here was purchased based entirely on impulse. I needed a moisturizer, I love Clarins, it smelt good, I was in a rush and it was only $26.00. There is nothing wrong with this moisturizer, it’s mildly hydrating, it smells nice it and it absorbs into the skin instantly. The problem with this Cream is it’s just not as hydrating as I thought. The lesson here is if I did my research I would have purchased a more nourishing cream from there Hydra Quench Range and saved the $26.00. Lesson learnt!

Moral of the story is I could have saved myself the grief by just sticking to the plan.  Is it just me or do find yourself in the same situation? What products have disappointed you?

Leave me a comment.

Back to Bourjois

I don’t talk about foundation often, not because I don’t like foundation, but mainly because I am at a crossroads right now. Currently I have two bases on the go Estee Lauder's Double Wear Light and NARS Sheer Glow.  I did a wishy washy review on NARS Sheer Glow here and to be honest my mind is still unclear whether I like it or not. I like the coverage and the color but at times I find Sheer Glow too drying. Estee Lauder Double Wear Light hasn’t gotten much love on the blog. It’s not a bad it’s just nothing jaw dropping either, plus the colour is slightly off.

Call this a foundation hissy fit if you would like.

My logic has always been never to be wasteful, but I have come to a point where I am fed up with attempting to make both products work. So I came to the conclusion it’s time for me to throw in the towel go to my all-time favorite Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum.

There are some great things going on this foundation so where do we even start? Its glow-y but without the added shimmer, long wearing but without being cakey, it’s medium coverage but still remains light weight and its hydrating but not tacky. More importantly and what it all comes down to is Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum makes my parched skin look healthy. Even the scent makes me smile!

Why did I ever stray from this perfect formula? I don’t know, but as I am typing this with a huge smile on my face I am glad to have Bourjois back into my life.

Calming Redness

When I think of long weekends like most Canadians I think of summer cottage trips, warm summer nights and family BBQ's. However, this February long weekend is more like crippling cold weather and red irritated skin.  With a few helpful tips and some great soothing products here are my top three ways to calming red angry skin. 

1. Drink Water

Personally I always think hot weather equates do dehydration but always over look the fact cold weather can mean dehydration too. So my first tip for you is to drink plenty of water. Redness (and dryness) will significantly decrease ifyour body is hydrated. 

2. Avene Soothing Moisture Mask 

This has to be one of my favourite masks of all time, while it hydrates the skin it also reduces redness like no ones business. The Avene website suggests you remove this mask but I highly recommend letting your skin soak in all the benefits over night. This creamy colourless mask is perfect for soothing irritated skin but it's also great at soothing sunburns too. 

If you suffer from rosacea or extreme redness I highly recommend Avene's Antirougeurs Calm Soothing Masking. 

3. A-Derma Exomega  

Although I have quite sensitive skin on my face for the most part my body is not. Yes, its true I can usually get away using the most perfumed, the most chemically filled products the market has to offer. Not saying that is good but you get what I mean! However something happens when it gets cold and dry... all those perfume-y body washes I loved irritate the hell out of my skin. I'm sure most of you get those red, bumpy, itchy patches under your arms too and my cure for that is A-Derma's Exomega. This perfume free oat based shower gel, helps reduce redness, hydrate and product. Plus the formula is so mild it can be used on the entire family. 

What are some of your redness reducing tips leave me a comment.

For those Canadians reading this I hope your all enjoying the long weekend and enduring this harsh weather! 

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil Review

Beautifying oils have been a widespread trend for the past couple of years. Unlike BB creams, CC creams, DD creams and EE creams? Which letter of the alphabet letter of tinted moisturizer are we on now? Seriously though unlike so many gimmicky trends in the beauty industry, beautifying oils are definitely a trend I can get behind. So when I heard the Clarins aka masters of beauty oils were coming out with lip oil I was all over that.

Before we talk about cool ingredients or the cute chubby doe foot applicator I think we need to address texture. I don’t know you but when I think an oil lip product the first thing that comes to mind is mess. So let’s set the recorded straight the Clarins Lip Comfort Oil is no as liquid-y as I first anticipated. This thicker texture makes it easy to apply without worrying about it smearing on your face. It also means you don’t have to worry about product leaking in your handbag or falling on your pants, car, shirt, car seat… you get the point.

Staying true to the Clarins range you can bet this oil is packed with incredible ingredients. This powerfully hydrating lip oil boasts hazelnut oil, jajoba oil and plum oil (in honey shade). These oils work together to soften, plump and hydrate the lips. I would say this product is ideal for chapped lips, but the non-sticky crowed pleasing texture combined subtle shine finish makes it perfect for everyday use too.

The applicator is a chubby doe foot similar to Clarins cream blushes they released a couple of year back. Winning points for those of you who remember the Instant Light Blushes… Vitamin Pink still is one of my favorite blush colours of all time. What I am trying to get to was personally I found the huge doe foot too big to apply blush, but for lips it’s a whole other story. Not only does the huge applicator pick up the perfect about of product but it also ever so comfortably hugs your lips during application too.

It’s beyond satisfying…

I would say if you’re looking for a shiny lip product get this, but Clarins Lip Comfort Oil is more than that. If you needed something to hydrate, protect and nourish all while smelling great, having a long list of great ingredients and giving you a subtle shine get the Clarins Lip Comfort Oil.

Plus what other lip product has the ability to hug your lips too??

Skin Care Myth’s

If you haven’t noticed skincare fascinates me, but my passion didn’t originate from choice. Nope as an eczema sufferer I would say I was forced into the skincare world. For me the switch went off when conventional eczema cures didn’t work, it was then and there that I became an expert in my own skin. Not only did I become an expert at my own skin, but the science behind these products and the art routine enticed me. With that all being said (and there is no other way to say it) there is a lot of bullshit out there. So today I debunk some of these skincare myths.

You Need to Buy the Whole Line

You finally find the perfect moisturizer and the sales lady tell you “you need to purchase the whole line to see it work”. If she then tells you “they are all formulated together to achieve the desired results” I would sincerely question the quality of the product you want to purchase. Personally I have never stuck to an entire line of products. Actually I highly doubt you will find any beauty blogger or beauty editor that does. Things in my routine are amazing stand-alone products and they should be in your routine too. If you whole range of products works for you perfect, but if you want to mix things up, do it!

Toner

The talk of using toner brings up some passionate beliefs in people. Most toners contain high amounts of alcohol which instantly dry out your skin. Why? It gives the illusion that you’re moisturizing working better. I’ve also heard that toner brings your skin back to its natural PH. Maybe way-back-when this would have applied, but since todays cleansers are gentle water soluble formula’s I don’t buy it. Do you need them? I personally don’t think so.

There are a ton of toners out there that do more than dry out your skin. Some moisturize while other exfoliate … these are not the alcohol based toners I am talking about.  

Eye Creams

Could these little pricey pots of cream be all hype, no action? Yes… because theoretically you can moisturize your eye area with you regular everyday moisturizer. Exceptions do apply this this rule like if you happen to be using an intense anti-aging cream.  Also personally I’ve had eczema on my eye lid in needed a specialized cream for the area. Personally, I like the way an eye creams feel so I still continue to use them. However do you really need them… no.

Sunday Beauty Haul

One of my favourite things to do ever is wander the drugstore and look for new product or hidden gems. I'm telling you if you want to have a fun time, grab a coffee, a best friend and hit up your local drugstore. Not only it a good time but it's a great way to get feed back on different products. With a handful of beauty products and the other hand filled with strawberry jelly candies I bring you my Sunday Beauty Haul. 

Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser

There is something about Ponds Cold Cream line that has always interested me. Maybe its the fact the Ponds has been making cold cream since the 1910? or maybe its the fact that its one of the first drugstore cult products? Not sure but this on sale, rose scented cleanser spoke to me. Plus let's face it I am on a drugstore skincare kick at the moment. 

Physicians Formula Argan Oil 

Adding to my drugstore skincare addiction is the new offerings from Physicians Formula's Aragn Line. This 100% Argan oil seemed like a bargain in comparison to the very famous Josie Maran version. This also happened to be on sale and had a 9 dollar in store rebate attached to it... I walked away paying 6.00 for this. I haven't tried this yet but expect a review in the near future.

Physicians Forumla Argan Oil Blush in Rose

I am new to Physicians formula so for all I know there products might be amazing. What I can tell you is in my opinion there products seem gimmick-y. A quick look at there website and I found a blush that makes you happy, a lipgloss with a superpower seductive scent and magical PH tone adjusting powders. PH and colour tone... is there a correlation? I don't know! 

I do know Argan infused blush might seem like a genus idea for dry skinned ladies so in my cart that went.

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 

I am a total fan of Clarins oil's in general! I mean there body oils are heavenly, there facial oils are some of my all time favorites, so the release of a lip oil had me jumping to the moon. I have tried this and so far I like it, please prepare yourself for a review soon. 

Nothing beats good conversation, drugstore beauty shopping mixed with some yummy jelly candy. 

What have you been buying recently? leave me a comment!